Double curved tile with larger capacity of pluvial and eolian seal

Abstract

A double curved tile with a larger capacity of pluvial and eolian seal comprising a body having a central curved portion provided with first and second lateral parts each of a different shape, the first and second parts form a semi-curved upper surface one provided with an overlaying ledge and the other an underlying ledge to fit under the overlying ledge the, first and second lateral parts forming a continuous curved portion, and the first and second lateral parts being juxtaposed to each other to form an enclosed space for the flow of water and to prevent seepage or leakage of water from the space. A drain system using the double curved tiles, and the ledges forming mating sections with one mating section forming a roof configuration to overlie a channel or U-shaped section formed by the second mating section, and the top of one mating section when juxtaposed to the other mating section overlying the U-shaped channel to form a closure and pathway for water to flow between the two mating sections and away from a structure the roof is to cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is concerned with a double curved roof tile, and more particularly with a tile with a capacity for pluvial and eolian seal. The double curved tile of this present invention provides for an improved locking arrangement between two adjacent tiles of the same identical configuration to provide for passageways for the removal of water and provide a good shelter for the area to be covered.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The invention is further concerned with an improvement over the tile disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,807 invented by the inventor Stefano Gamble and issued to patent on Dec. 9, 2003, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein.

Further prior art known to Applicant are U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,342, No. 5,941,039, and No. 4,930,282 cited in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,807.

This invention in U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,807 is concerned with a novel curved tile made from a mixture of colored cement. It is a tile that can simulate a conventional terra cotta tile after being placed onto a roof of a building. The tile of this invention as well as the prior art tile when joined to a substantially identical tile forms three curved portions.

Curved tile roof coverings are conventionally made from terra cotta and usually have a single curved member with two flat portions at each end. The flat portions are placed onto the outer surface of the roof to be covered. The conventional terra cotta tiles when placed next to each other form two curved portions.

It is known that bent or curved tiles and the tiles used in buildings to realize a covering to prevent the atmospheric agents from entering the underlying buildings. Bent tiles and tiles, made of materials from different kinds of clayey mixtures to cement with plasticized mixture, have the aim to protect the building from the sun, the wind and from the atmospheric precipitations: rain, snow and hail.

The sun protection is then actuated under the shading given to the covering of bent tiles or tiles.

Unfortunately, the prior art in this field is not able to assure the transversal union of the tile sides in the cited materials so to have a tile or a bent tile completely dry in its lower surface, such as the infiltrations coming to the side parts are not able to guarantee or assure a good seal. The construction faults to the borders of said components are always causes of water infiltrations under the bent tiles or files.

Another known previous solution is described in the European Patent EP 1 323 877, regarding the protection to rain infiltrations, but these regard only the frontal part of the tile. Moreover, the covering tiles and bent tiles, to avoid raising, must not have borders or lateral holds, such as similar overhangs, can be raising points of the same bent tiles or files.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is concerned with the manufacture of a unique tile with a locking or joining feature which can be used in connection with a novel method and system to provide a roof covering to simulate a conventional clay or terra cotta roof. Further, the individual tile of the invention can be interconnected with a tile like itself to provide for a three curved roof portions tile covering the area with two tiles.

First of all, the known performance and difference between a cement covering surface and a brick-covering and moreover particularly for the exacting work of periodical rotation of the covering tiles with the drain ones, working does not exist with the tile according to the invention.

The invention unites a fixed point with a superimposition so to have a thermic expansion possibility without interference of material with parts that determine a seal to liquids with a discharge of these outside the covering surface.

The invented tile is then not subject to or sensible to the frozen action such as the possible ice that can be formed inside the joints and therefore does not damage the stability and the union seal of the tiles and consequently of the covering. Moreover, not having outside borders the tile does not give possibility to the wind action transversally to the tile axis, so as to avoid the raising action which tiles suffer when provided with outside lateral borders in overhang.

To these ends, the present invention consists in the provision of a double curved tile including a body having a central curved portion provided with first and second lateral parts (2 and 3) each of a different shape with a top outline and a bottom outline, the first lateral part forming a semi-curved upper surface provided with an overlaying ledge, and the second lateral part forming an overlying curved upper surface and an underlying ledge adapted to fit under the overlying ledge when the body is positioned next to another of one of the same type of body with the first lateral part of one the body forming a continuous curved portion with said second lateral part of the adjacent body, and the first lateral part and the second lateral part of two adjacent bodies being juxtaposed to each other to form an enclosed space between the two lateral parts for the flow of water between the two lateral parts and to prevent seepage or leakage of water from the space.

A further feature is that the first lateral part includes a first vertical level planar surface forming a first facing surface, and the second lateral part includes a second vertical level planar surface complementary to the first vertical level planar surface and forming a face to face relationship with the first vertical level planar surface when the first lateral part of one tile is juxtaposed to the second lateral part of another tile.

Another feature is that the first lateral part includes a bottom recessed portion comprising a front planar surface and a rear horizontal planar part at a level lower than the bottom of the front planar surface, and between the front surface and the rear horizontal part is a lower level horizontal surface and an angled portion and a surface support base.

Another feature is that the front planar surface and the level horizontal surface form an obtuse angle therebetween. The angled portion and the surface support base (8) form an acute angle therebetween.

A further feature is that the second lateral part includes a front level surface and at its outermost end a flat surface below the top surface of the tile and forming a recessed U-shaped portion between the front lateral surface and the flat surface. A horizontal surface is also provided extending from the vertical level surface. In addition, a sloping planar surface sloping towards the level surface from the flat surface is also provided.

Another feature includes a sloping planar surface extending from the flat surface, a horizontal surface, and a further level surface connecting the horizontal surface, and said sloping planar surface and forming a channel between the flat horizontal surface and the horizontal surface.

A further feature is that the second lateral part has a substantially U-shaped portion at its outer end and includes a raised upper flat surface and a vertical level surface at its inner end, and provided with a horizontal surface extending below the top surface of the tile

The invention is also concerned with a drain system for a roof covering formed from a plurality of double curved tiles, and comprises a double curved tile having a semi-circular shaped central portion and a first extending border in one direction and a second extending border in the opposite direction, the first extending border has a first mating section and the second extending section has a second mating section complementary to the first mating section, the first mating section of one tile mating with the mating section of a next adjacent tile when the tiles are laid out one next to the other, the first mating section having a configuration which forms a roof portion to overlie a channel or U-shaped section of the second mating section when the tiles are laid out one next to the other, and the top of the first mating section being juxtaposed to a side of the U-shaped channel of the second mating section to form a closure and pathway for water to flow between the two mating sections and away from a structure the roof is to cover.

A further feature of the first mating section is that it has a configuration comprising a front facing planar surface extending transversely to a top surface of the tile, a lower level or bottom horizontal surface beneath the top surface and extending from the front facing planar surface, and an angled portion to form part of the roof portion having one end extending from the lower level horizontal surface and another end connected with a surface support base which cooperates with the second mating section.

Another feature of the second mating section is that the second mating section has a configuration comprising a flat surface formed on an upraised portion at the outer end of the second mating section, a horizontal surface undercut from the top of the curved tile but spaced above a lower planar part of the tile to receive the first mating section of an adjacent tile, and a further level portion extending from the horizontal surface and joined with a sloping planar portion sloping from the flat surface portion to form the channel or U-shaped portion.

The drain system includes the combination of the two mating sections, wherein the first mating section has a configuration comprising a front facing planar surface extending transversely to a top surface of the tile, a lower level or bottom horizontal surface beneath the top surface and extending from the front facing planar surface, an angled portion to form part of the roof portion having one end extending from the lower level horizontal surface and another end connected with a surface support base which cooperates with the second mating section, a flat surface formed on an upraised portion at the outer end of the second mating section, a horizontal surface undercut from the top of the curved tile but spaced above a lower planar part of the tile to receive the first mating section of an adjacent tile, a further level portion extending from the horizontal surface and joined with a sloping planar portion sloping from the flat surface portion to form the channel or U-shaped portion, and the first and second mating sections when juxtaposed next to each other formed by two adjacent tiles form a passageway for water to flow therebetween and away from the roof covering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a single tile according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of two tiles as shown in FIG. 1, interconnected to form a connection between two adjacent tiles of the type of tile shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of adjacent tiers formed by the two tiles as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of three tiers of three adjacent tiles shown in FIG. 1 with the three tiles in each tier shown in perspective view looking down onto the top portion of each of the single tile shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 which is a schematic front elevational view of a single curved tile according to the invention having one full curved portion 1 and two side borders or one semi-curved portion 2 at the right side as viewed in FIG. 1 and another semi-curved portion 3 at the left side as viewed in FIG. 1.

The side border 2 and side border 3 are complementary to each other and when laid out the two side borders together form a single full curved portion such as full curved portion 2.

Front edge of the right side border 2 is provided with a unique configuration and is provided with a level or planar front surface 4 which joins upper or top surface 5 of right side of semi-curved portion 2 to a lower or underside lower level surface 6 forming a lower level horizontal surface. This lower level surface 6 cooperates with a corresponding level part or surface forming the other end or left side of the semi-circular portion 3.

Right side portion 2 at the lower level has lower horizontal substantially planar part 9 which continues under central or full curve portion 1 to left semi-circular portion. Between horizontal planar part 9 and lower level horizontal surface 6 is an angled portion 7 having a surface forming an obtuse angle with horizontal surface 6, and between angled portion 7 and horizontal planar part 9 is another surface 8 substantially parallel to surface 6 and forming an acute angle with surface 7.

Surface 8 is an undersurface of side border 2 and forms a support base for side border 2 when placed onto a corresponding level surface placed of side border 3, where two adjacent tiles are positioned next to each other.

Side border 3 cooperates with side border 2, and as best seen in FIG. 2, when two adjacent tiles are to be joined together, semi-curved portion 2 has its right edge placed over the left edge of semi-curved portion 3.

Semi-curved portion 3 at its top surface 5 is provided with a level surface 10 which mates with level or planar surface 4, see FIG. 2. Level surface 10 is placed substantially transversally to upper or top surface 5, and substantially vertically, similar to the level surface 4 of right border 2 formed by the semi-circular portion.

Surface 11 extends from a substantially vertical level 10 (FIG. 1) towards a further level surface 12 which forms an acute angle with level surface 10.

Left semi-circular portion or border 3 is provided with a flat surface 14 which cooperates with support base 8. Extending towards the right as viewed in the drawings is a sloping planar portion 13 between flat surface 14 and further level surface 12.

As best seen in FIG. 4, two sets of adjacent rows with three columns of tiles 1 are placed into juxtaposition with each other. Right side border 2 is placed next to left side border 3 and the border 2 overlaps border 3.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water passageway between the borders 2 and 3 provide a sealing to prevent the water from seeping under the tiles.

Description of Operation of Tiles

The curved tile according to the invention is made of a central curved portion 1 which is made of conveye mixture or cement with plasticized mixture, and two borders 2 and 3 with their particular unique shape, so that the disposition of which directs the tile and gives the mounting direction. The right lateral border 2 of the tile has a level surface 4 placed in the lateral part of the tile. This level surface 4 intersects the tile upper surface 5 forming an almost vertical wall. Level surface 4 then follows in its outline to lower level surface 6 placed in horizontal. Lower surface 6 forms the support base for the corresponding level part given to the left side border 3.

The outline of the tile side border 2 then goes on from level surface 6 to angled level surface 7 to have then another horizontal level surface 8. Surface 8 forms a support base on a corresponding level surface placed on the side border 3. The tile outline goes on with lower part 9. Side border 3, which forms support base with a fixed point for side border 2 of the next tile, and consists of level surface 10, placed transversally to upper surface 5 of border 2 and placed like the level surface 4 of the side border 2, almost in vertical and adjacent thereto. The outline of side border 3 goes on in continuity with horizontal surface 11. Surface 11 in its end part is connected with further level surface 12 provided with small angulation in comparison with horizontal surface 11 and to which follows an almost vertical part 13.

Level surface 10, horizontal surface 11, little angulated surface 12 and surface 13 are placed similar to surface 10 to determine a drain for the water infiltrations coming to the side fixed points of the tiles. In particular, water infiltrated to the level surface 4 of tile side border 2 and to level surface 10 of the side border 3 is collected into the drain formed by the borders of the two surfaces.

The outline of side border 3 then goes on with horizontal level surface 14 forming a support base for level surface 8 of side border 2. Thereby, a closing with a double seal is created against water infiltration, formed respectively from the contact of the opposite surfaces, i.e. from surfaces 4 and 6 in contact with surfaces 10 and 11 in a seal point and with surfaces 8 and 14 in the second seal point.

Moreover, the particular shape of the surfaces 7, 12 and 13 creates an inside surface capable of stopping and to discharge the water infiltrations coming to the superimposed fixed points. Given to the union of tile border 2 with border 3 of the next tile.

Atmospheric disturbances are often accompanied by wind. Imperfections in the tile mounting such as working imperfections of the same tile create small cracks to the fixed points where the water with the wind can be over the first seal, i.e. the seal provided by surfaces 4 and 6 in contact with the surfaces 10 and 11. The union of the surfaces 7, 12 and 13 creates an inside expansion chamber of the nebulized drops. The connected action of the expansion of the higher temperature inside this chamber and the fit angulations of the surfaces 7, 12 and 13 determine the condensation of the damp infiltration and the collecting into the drain so as to avoid the penetration of the infiltrations inside the tile. For a greater sealing effect and for a larger stability, the contact between surface 8 of border 2 and surface 14 of border 3 forms a further barrier to the infiltrations and a support base more steady to the mounting of the tiles, facilitating to the operator the ordinary disposition of the covering with the tiles, thereby avoiding oblique disposition known as “dispositions out of square.”

The tile according to the present invention, not having outside borders in overhang, does not determine parts on which wind action can operate, thereby avoiding side raising of the same tile.

The interfaced surfaces to the union, i.e. level surface 4 of side border 2 and level surface 10 of side border 3, are placed in such a way to form an interstice with minimum dimension so to limit the water passing under the tile.

The disposition and fixed point of the lateral or border parts 2 and 3 of the tile permit then clearance so as to avoid damage resulting from both frozen action and thermic expansion such as the support level and horizontal surfaces 6 and 8 of side border 2 and the support level and horizontal surfaces 11 and 14 of side border 3, together with the fixed points given to the outlines of the two side borders, make possible dilatations or expansions without superimposition of material or interference with the parts forming the tile.

The tile, according to the invention, provides for a tile with side water infiltration seal with inside and angulated collecting drains for the discharge of eventual infiltrations toward of the covering.

While there has been shown what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A double curved tile with larger capacity of pluvial and eolian seal including: a body having a central curved portion provided with first and second lateral parts (2 and 3) each of a different shape with a top outline and a bottom outline; said first lateral part (2) forming a semi-curved upper surface provided with an overlaying ledge, and said second lateral part (3) forming an overlying curved upper surface and an underlying ledge adapted to fit under said overlying ledge when said body is positioned next to another of said body with said first lateral part (2) of one said body forming a continuous curved portion with said second lateral part (3) of said adjacent body; and said first lateral part (2) and said second lateral part (3) of two adjacent bodies being juxtaposed to each other to form an enclosed space between said two lateral parts for the flow of water between said two lateral parts and to prevent seepage or leakage of water from said space.

2. The double curved tile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first lateral part includes a first vertical level planar surface forming a first facing surface, and said second lateral part includes a second vertical level planar surface complementary to said first vertical level planar surface and forming a face to face relationship with said first vertical level planar surface when said first lateral part of one tile is juxtaposed to said second lateral part of another tile.

3. The double curved tile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first lateral part includes a bottom recessed portion comprising a front planar surface (4) and a rear horizontal planar part (9) at a level lower than the bottom of the front planar surface (4), and between said front surface (4) and said rear horizontal part (9) is a lower level horizontal surface (6) and an angled portion (7) and a surface support base (8).

4. The double curved tile as claimed in claim 3, wherein said front planar surface (4) and said level horizontal surface (6) form an obtuse angle therebetween.

5. The double curved tile as claimed in claim 3, wherein said angled portion (7) and said surface support base (8) form an acute angle therebetween.

6. The double curved tile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second lateral part (3) includes a front level surface (10) and at its outermost end a flat surface (14) below the top surface of the tile and forming a recessed U-shaped portion between said front lateral surface (10) and said flat surface (14).

7. The tile as claimed in claim 6, including a horizontal surface (11) extending from said vertical level surface (10).

8. The tile as claimed in claim 6, including a sloping planar surface (13) sloping towards said level surface (10) from said flat surface (14).

9. The tile as claimed in claim 6, including a sloping planar surface (13) extending from said flat surface (14), a horizontal surface (11), and a further level surface (12) connecting said horizontal surface (11) and said sloping planar surface (13) and forming a channel between said flat horizontal surface 14 and said horizontal surface (11).

10. The double curved tile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second lateral part (3) has a substantially U-shaped portion at its outer end and includes a raised upper flat surface (14) and a vertical level surface (10) at its inner end, and provided with a horizontal surface (11) extending below the top surface of the tile

11. A drain system for a roof covering formed from a plurality of double curved tiles, comprising a double curved tile having a semi-circular shaped central portion and a first extending border in one direction and a second extending border in the opposite direction; said first extending border having a first mating section and said second extending border having a second mating section complementary to said first mating section; said first mating section of one tile mating with the mating section of a next adjacent tile when said tiles are laid out one next to the other; said first mating section having a configuration which forms a roof portion to overlie a channel or U-shaped section of said second mating section when said tiles are laid out one next to the other; and the top of said first mating section being juxtaposed to a side of the U-shaped channel of said second mating section to form a closure and pathway for water to flow between said two mating sections and away from a structure the roof is to cover.

12. The drain system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first mating section has a configuration comprising: a front facing planar surface extending transversely to a top surface of the tile; a lower level or bottom horizontal surface beneath said top surface and extending from said front facing planar surface; and an angled portion to form part of said roof portion having one end extending from said lower level horizontal surface and another end connected with a surface support base which cooperates with said second mating section.

13. The drain system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second mating section has a configuration comprising: a flat surface formed on an upraised portion at the outer end of said second mating section; a horizontal surface undercut from the top of the curved tile but spaced above a lower planar part of the tile to receive the first mating section of an adjacent tile; and a further level portion extending from the horizontal surface and joined with a sloping planar portion sloping from the flat surface portion to form the channel or U-shaped portion.

14. The drain system as claimed in claim 11wherein said first mating section has a configuration comprising: a front facing planar surface extending transversely to a top surface of the tile; a lower level or bottom horizontal surface beneath said top surface and extending from said front facing planar surface; an angled portion to form part of said roof portion having one end extending from said lower level horizontal surface and another end connected with a surface support base which cooperates with said second mating section; and a flat surface formed on an upraised portion at the outer end of said second mating section; a horizontal surface undercut from the top of the curved tile but spaced above a lower planar part of the tile to receive the first mating section of an adjacent tile; a further level portion extending from the horizontal surface and joined with a sloping planar portion sloping from the flat surface portion to form the channel or U-shaped portion; said first and second mating sections when juxtaposed next to each other formed by two adjacent tiles form a passageway for water to flow therebetween and away from the roof covering.